Water makes up 75 to 85 percent of the weight of a
healthy grass plant. It is essential for seed germination,
tissue formation, plant cooling, food manufacture, and
nutrient absorption and transport. A grass plant loses
the most water under conditions of high light intensity,
high temperature, low relative humidity, and windy
conditions. Without adequate water, the grass plant
can’t cool itself and becomes susceptible to wilting,
desiccation, and death.

The fall season is an important transition period of
turfgrass growth and development, and the management
of your warm- and cool-season grasses at this
time of year means a great deal in terms of anticipated
success in your lawn the following spring.

This 2019 Virginia Pest Management Guide provides the latest recommendations for controlling diseases, insects, and weeds for home grounds and animals. The chemical controls in this guide are based on the latest pesticide label information at the time of writing. Because pesticide labels change, read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticide. Regardless of the information provided here, always follow the latest product label instructions when using any pesticide.

Fertilization of lawns is essential for the production
of quality turf in Virginia. However, exceeding
recommended fertilizer application rates or improper
application timing can negatively impact surface
water and groundwater quality.

The Maryland-Virginia Turfgrass Variety Recommendation Work Group meets each Spring to consider the previous year’s data from Virginia and Maryland National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) and ancillary trials and to formulate these recommendations. Virginia and Maryland variety recommendations are essentially identical except for specialized grasses and research situations that differ due to adaptation and state regulation.